Our Partners

Our Mission Sound Experience sails the historic schooner Adventuress to educate, inspire, and empower an inclusive community to make a difference for the future of our marine environment. Our Values Deliver powerful shipboard youth and adult programs that emphasize environmental stewardship, leadership, community and historic preservation Ensure that the public has access to visiting and sailing aboard the schooner Adventuress, a National Historic Landmark and Puget Sound treasure Create an inclusive, welcoming community that is physically and emotionally safe Support personal and professional growth and lifelong learning opportunities for crew, staff, and volunteers Model low-impact, sustainable living practices aboard Adventuress that contribute to a healthy Puget Sound and planet Steward the maintenance and restoration of the historic schooner Adventuress so that she will sail in perpetuity Create non-profit, private and public sector partnerships that contribute to environmental stewardship, youth engagement and historic preservation Maintain the highest ethical standards in all areas of the organization including the ship, the staff, and leadership

our founding in 1994, more than 12,000 middle and high school students, 1,000 teachers and hundreds of schools have sailed the waters of Puget Sound as part of our innovative “science-under-sail” programs. Salish’s growing success is a result of the commitment to a novel idea by an inspired group of staff, board members, volunteers, donors and others who believed in the creation of an unparalleled learning experience and the impact that it would have on thousands of lives. Programs are organized at our small headquarters on Bainbridge Island, and occur throughout Puget Sound between March and October; expeditions take place as far south as Tacoma and as far north as the San Juan Islands. During summer months, Carlyn returns to her home base on Orcas Island.

“We may not have changed the world but we may have changed people’s perception of it.” -Jordan Hanssen (Day 54 of 72, North Atlantic Rowing Race 2006) Founded in 2005, OAR Northwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit adventure education and research organization, run primarily by volunteers, that uses adventure for scientific exploration and free STEM-focused education delivered online and in-person. Mission Statement Use adventure-based rowing to create and deliver the best adventure education content to students worldwide, while researching environments that we explore together. Vision Statement Multiple expeditions worldwide, running year-around, delivering the finest free adventure education curriculum to over 500,000 students.

The Northwest Seaport fleet includes two ships tht have National Landmark status, the tugboat Arthur Foss, and the Lightship No. 83 Swiftsure. These vessels are moored at Seattle's Lake Union Park and provide hands-on venue for educational programs that range from on-board story time for toddlers, to vocational training and opportunities for high school students, and adults. They also offer rigorous academic programs in partnerships with colleges and universities.

The mission of the NWMC is, "to engage and educate people of all generations in traditional and contemporary maritime life, in a spirit of adventure and discovery". The NWCM is a campus and gathering place on the waterfront in Port Townsend that in addition to providing its own unique educational programs for school-aged youth, also offers continuing education for adults.

Their mission is, "to provide educational, vocational, recreational and ambassadorial activities and experiences that promote and preserve the maritime history of Grays Harbor, the Pacific Northwest, and our nation while serving the needs of the community". The Grays Harbor Historical seaport, a municipal 501(c)3 educational non-profit is based in Aberdeen, Wa. They bring maritime history to life aboard two beautiful tall ships, the Lady Washington, and Hawaiian Chieftain.

The mission of the Foss Waterway Seaport is "to celebrate Tacoma's rich maritime heritage - past, present, and future". The Foss Waterway Seaport is Puget Sound's premier maritime heritage, education, and event center where families, students and the entire community is welcome to come to discover, explore, work and play. The facility is located where the history of Foss Maritime Company began!

The Center for Wooden Boats provides hands-on maritime experiences using their fleet of historic wooden boats. You can visit the center in Seattle or on Camano Island. They offer a fleet of boats available for rental, operating year round renting of both sail and rowboats to the public. They also offer many classes in sailing and other skills for adults and youth, including one on one sailing lessons. The mission of the Center for Wooden Boats is, "To provide a gathering place where maritime history comes alive through direct experience and our small craft heritage is enjoyed, preserved, and passed along to future generations". CWB is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preserving maritime heritage for future generations.

The Anchor Program is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides vocational and life skills training to youth (minimum age 16) and others interested in pursuing careers in the maritime industry. The primary goal of the program is to prepare participants for positions as a merchant mariner. Additional maritime training opportunities are also available.

Western Towboat Company has been a family owned business since 1948, operating tugs and barges from Puget Sound to the Aleutian Islands, from the Alaskan Arctic to the Hawaiian Islands, to the Panama Canal. They provide customers with one of the most modern, custom built and designed tug and barge fleets on the West Coast. Western Towboat offers ocean towing, harbor towing, Ship Assist, in addition to container and transportation services.

Puget Sound Pilots is an organization of marine pilots dedicated, "To protect the marine environment, economy and security of Washington State through the safe navigation of vessels on Puget sound and adjacent waterways". More than eight thousand times a year, PSP embers board oil tankers, cargo vessels, and cruise ships to guide them safely through difficult passages, tricky currents, and congested shipping lanes. The Pilots dock these vessels in Puget Sound ports and return them to the open sea. Their pilots are independent professionals who work on behalf of the citizens of Washington State. Their expertise and commitment to excellence has produced an unparalled safety record of more than 165,000 sailings over the last 20 years without a major incident.

Pacific Fisherman is a full service shipyard established in 1946 to service tugboats, passenger cruise, charter boats, yachts, in addition to traditional fishing vessels. Located on Ballard's Salmon Bay just east of the government locks on the freshwater side, Pacific Fisherman continues its rich heritage, with fine craftsmanship and a dedicated workforce.